Top Waterpark Resorts

5. Grand Harbor Resort Dubuque, Iowa

ABOUT THE PANELIST

Jeff Coy is president of JLC Consulting, a research and consulting
firm based in Cave Creek, Ariz. Certified by the International
Society of Hospitality Consultants, Coy has more than 30
years’ experience in the development, management and
marketing of hotels and resorts. He has written for several
publications, and in 2001 formed Hotel Waterpark Resort Research
& Consulting with Bill Haralson.

Owner: Platinum Holdings, LLC

Year opened:2002

Size: 25,000 square feet

Staff:50, peak season

Grand Harbor Resort in Dubuque, Iowa, has 194 rooms with a 25,000-square-foot indoor waterpark, themed for the nearby Mississippi River. Waterpark features include slides, a giant play
structure, a lazy river, two activity pools and two hot tubs.
There’s also an arcade and a Tony Roma’s restaurant on
site, and the hotel is connected to a 120,000-square-foot
convention center, which it operates for the city. Every Friday and
Saturday the waterpark hosts Splash Bash, featuring a live,
interactive DJ and poolside games, plus activities in the
WaterSquirts Kids Club room.